Edibles 101: What Are Cannabis Edibles & How Do They Work?

Edibles

Also: THC Edibles, Cannabis Edibles, Marijuana Edibles

Edibles are cannabis-infused food products. Depending on how they’re made, they can contain THC, CBD, and a variety of cannabinoids and terpenes. Edibles are available in a variety of forms, including brownies, cookies, candies, chocolates, drinks, biscuits and even popcorn.

Cannabis edibles are food or drink products infused with cannabinoids, most commonly THC, that can trigger psychoactive effects when consumed. There are many types of edibles, including gummies, baked goods, mints, lozenges, drinks, and more. The most common cannabinoid found in edibles is THC, but you can also purchase products that are infused with CBD, CBN, and other compounds from the cannabis plant.

Edibles purchased at a dispensary come in a variety of THC strengths, ranging from a 1 mg microdose to as high as 100 mg of THC (depending on state limits). The benefit of prepackaged cannabis edibles purchased from a dispensary is the exact dosing; each individual gummy, chocolate, or lozenge is guaranteed to contain the exact same amount of cannabinoids as all the rest in the package. Often, those who prefer to make their edibles at home may experience a bit of a learning curve when first starting out, especially with dosing those initial batches.⁵ Our guide on cooking with cannabis can help you avoid some of these common pitfalls, and have you whipping up gourmet canna-creations in no time.

Understanding how much THC is in edibles can get a little confusing if you’re not sure how to read the packaging. The product label for cannabis edibles will list dosages that typically range from 2.5 mg to 10 mg. This number is how much THC is in each serving.⁶ So if you have a chocolate bar with twelve squares, and each square is a 5 mg serving, that entire chocolate bar has 60 mg of THC in it. You could also have a package of 10 gummies, each with 10 mg of THC, making the package 100 mg total. 

Knowing how much THC is in your edible and how that edible’s THC breaks down by serving will help you better dose your edible.⁷ A new cannabis enthusiast may choose to have a single 5 mg square of chocolate, while a seasoned cannabis connoisseur may take three squares for a 15 mg experience. It all depends on your individual tolerance.

Gummy edibles may be the most well-known formation of cannabis edible.¹ They come in all different sizes and flavors, offering different CBD and THC percentages. In fact, it’s their versatility that makes gummies the typical go-to product for new cannabis consumers.

While marijuana brownies are one of the most popular baked edibles, they’re not the only kind. The industry has expanded exponentially when it comes to baked cannabis products, selling cookies, pancake mix, brownies, rice krispie treats, and more.⁸ You can buy these pre-dosed from your local dispensary or make them at home.

Yes, you can drink your cannabis. Cannabis beverages come in all different varieties—from seltzers to teas, juices and more. And if you prefer to make your own drinks, there are many drink mixes and powders that include cannabinoids like THC, letting you create the perfect beverage at home. You may feel the effects of cannabis beverages faster than other edibles because the cannabinoids are made to dissolve in liquid, meaning your body can absorb them quicker.⁹ 

A marijuana tincture is made through an extraction process that involves soaking decarboxylated cannabis flower in high-proof alcohol, oil, or glycerin. The resulting liquid, the “tincture,” is typically amber-colored and taken orally, whether by dispensing a few drops under the tongue or swallowing it.¹⁰

Lozenge and mint marijuana edibles are typically smaller and made in lower dosages for discrete microdosing. These products dissolve in your mouth, meaning the cannabinoids are absorbed through the cheek wall or under the tongue. As a result, consumers may feel effects faster than digested edibles.¹¹

Much like the sweet treat we know and love, cannabis-infused chocolates and chocolate bars are a rich and creamy delight. Some cannabis cultivators have even taken to partnering with pastry chefs and bakeries to offer culinary creations that mirror non-infused products. (Just remember to stick to the right dosage to avoid unintentional results!) 

THC pills are simply edibles in capsule form. A THC pill may contain ground-up, decarboxylated flower; THC distillate; or THC isolate in a capsule. There are also CBD pills available. These pills are swallowed whole and then processed through the digestive system like most other edibles.¹⁷ This means the timing of their effects is similar.

Cannabis edibles work by being absorbed through the mouth or stomach. The cannabinoid or cannabinoids and terpenes are absorbed through the thin skin of your mouth and under your tongue or via digestion. Then, they enter the bloodstream and start affecting the receptors in your endocannabinoid system the same way as any other cannabis product.

So what do edibles do to you? Well, when it comes to edibles that have both cannabinoids and terpenes, you may experience the entourage effect. This is the idea that cannabinoids and terpenes all work together (not just THC alone) to create the intoxicating feelings that come with cannabis consumption. While edibles with only THC isolate in them still create a psychoactive effect, there is no entourage effect because there’s only one cannabinoid that’s activated in the product.

There are very few topics that are tastier to talk about than edibles. Here are a few questions our budtenders answer on a day-to-day basis:

What is the difference between CBD and THC edibles?

The difference between THC and CBD edibles is that THC edibles will cause psychoactive effects and CBD edibles will not. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid responsible for the intoxicating experiences cannabis consumers enjoy. To purchase edibles with THC, you need to visit one of our dispensaries. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid with no psychoactive effects. Instead, it’s being studied for its potential therapeutic effects. It is possible to purchase CBD edibles outside of a dispensary, but we don’t recommend it. The CBD market is unregulated, so you don’t really know the quality of the product that you’re getting.

Do edibles taste like marijuana?

Many edibles purchased at a dispensary have little-to-no marijuana taste, as they are infused with fruity, sugary, or salty ingredients to mask the bitter flavors of cannabis. However, depending on the product, those herbaceous notes can still shine through. For some cannasseurs, that’s a good thing.

Can I make edibles at home?

Yes, definitely. There are a number of different ways to create edibles. If you prefer treats you pulled fresh from the oven, like cannabis cookies and brownies, check out our guide for baking with cannabis. If you lean more toward candy-like edibles, you’re definitely going to want to try DIY gummies at home.

Can I eat raw marijuana?

You can…but it won’t do much. That’s because raw cannabis flower contains THCA, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, not THC.¹⁴ Once heated—or decarboxylated—THCA turns into THC. Edibles you purchase at a dispensary contain THC and are ready to eat. However, if you are making your own edibles, you’ll need to decarboxylate the flower ahead of time.

Can I purchase CBD-only edible products?

Absolutely! State-licensed dispensaries typically offer CBD-isolate products, meaning CBD is the only cannabinoid present. You can also buy full-spectrum CBD products or products that contain a ratio of CBD-to-THC. The budtender can provide you with a list of CBD options available.

How do I find the right edible dosage for me?

Finding the right dosage of edibles is entirely specific to your body, your tolerance level, how much you ate, etc. If you’re new to cannabis, stick with a microdose and adjust from there as you begin to understand how your body reacts.

Buying Marijuana Edibles

With the plethora of options available in today’s cannabis marketplace, it would be pretty hard to walk into a dispensary and not find an edible that suits your taste buds. From sweet and savory to tinctures and cannaoils, the culinary possibilities are endless. If you’re interested in picking out your new favorite edible but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your budtender. With a quick chat, they can understand what you’re looking for and help you choose the right edibles for you.